THE INNKEEPER.--ALARMING NEWS.
For six more days the boys sailed along this canal till they came to
Hang-tcheou-fou, the terrestrial paradise of China, of which, in
conjunction with another great city, the people have a saying, "Heaven
is above, but Hang-tcheou and Foo-tcheou are below." As a combination of
work and pleasure, a great manufacturing city, and a fashionable and
healthful watering-place, this spot has not its equal in the world; for
as the province of Tche-Kiang is the most celebrated in the empire for
its growth of mulberry-trees and the finest silk-worms, so is its
capital, Hang-tcheou, celebrated for its looms and the quality and
quantity of those rare silks, satins, and taffetas, which no less
gladdened the eyes of the moderns than they surprised and delighted the
wealthy Romans, who, not knowing from whence they came, believed them to
be the handiwork of "furthest Ind."
Not alone the Manchester, but the Bath or Cheltenham of China, this city
is also famous for its scholars, and as being the residence of the
fashionables, if such a term may be used to a people who are proverbial
for having kept in manners, customs, laws, religion, and dress, and
even ideas, with little exception, to the pattern men and women,
fashioned and shaped by their early Emperors, Yaou and Yu, some four
thousand years ago; for the latter perhaps Hang-tcheou is chiefly
indebted to its vicinage to the celebrated lake See-ho. The waters are
so clear that the smallest pebbles may be seen shining like crystals
from the bottom. In the middle are two islands adorned with temples and
houses, wherein water parties, after taking their pleasure upon the
lake, resort for rest and refreshment. Upon piles driven into the bed of
the lake are large stone walks or pathways for pedestrians, which stretch
from the banks to the islands, with openings for boats, across which are
thrown fancifully wrought bridges. The banks are studded with temples,
mansions, monasteries, for the bonzes or priests of Buddah, as also a
small but beautiful palace for the use of the Emperor, when he makes a
tour through his southern provinces.
Near to this lake, and reposing in a valley beneath the foot of a
mountain, upon the summit of which, as if in guard over the dead for the
past forty centuries, the huge Lui-fung-ta, or tower of thundering
winds, is the great cemetery, or vale of tombs, a city in size, which is
kept reverentially clean, and strewn at stated periods with fresh
flowers, over which forests of willows weep for the departed.
One of the chief beauties of this famous lake I had almost forgotten to
mention. Its sides, where the water is shallow, are covered with the
clustering and rare flowers, lien-hoa, a plant so choice that it is
fostered in the innermost recesses of the houses of the great and
wealthy. Not unlike our own tulips, the Lien-hoa has a little ball
supported by a small filament similar to that formed in lilies; its
color varies, being at times violet, white, or a mixture of red and
white; it emits a fragrant odor; the fruit is as big as a small nut, and
the kernel is white and of good taste. The physicians esteem it, and
prescribe it for weak patients. The leaves are long, and swim upon the
water, communicating with the root by long strings. The dense
population, which has rendered it necessary to turn every atom to
account, has led the busy-bee genius of the people to make every
particle of this plant useful. The before-mentioned strings are used by
the gardeners to wrap round their goods, and the white and pulpy root is
eaten in summer for its cooling properties.
Although mid-day when they arrived at this city, you will not wonder
that it was nearly dark by the time they reached the gates, when I tell
you that the river was one vast floating town of vessels, the greater
part of which were arranged into streets, crowded with passing mandarin
junks laden with pleasure parties, and decorated with japan, gilding,
silk streamers, and that emblem of rank, the umbrella; government junks,
some of war, and others freighted with rice, silks, and other matters,
which had been given by the different townspeople as taxes in lieu of
money; then numerous junks laden with salt and other commodities, to say
nothing of the many thousands of San-pans or egg-house boats, in which
a vast portion of the poorer section of the Chinese reside, never being
permitted to come ashore without especial permission from the governor;
then again, the floating islands of trees, with their huts formed of
poles and matting of bamboo. Indeed just such a scene is a picture of
the every-day life presented on the canals and rivers of this country;
but particularly in the southern provinces, which so swarm with human
beings, that thousands are compelled from want of room on land to take
refuge on the water, where they not only live, but carry on their
various avocations.
Notwithstanding the haste of the boys to enter the city, as they passed
through the gates the great bell above them began to sound the first of
the five watches or divisions into which the night is divided, and the
crowds who thronged the narrow streets began to scamper in every
direction to their homes, for the law of China very wisely holds "that
the daylight is for labor and the night for repose." Greatly fatigued,
the young travelers sought the first inn where they regaled themselves
with a plentiful meal, foolishly forgetting the passing time: indeed,
before they had finished, they heard the sound of the second watch, when
the landlord made his appearance and begged of his honorable guests to
take their departure, much to the surprise of Nicholas, who had resolved
to go no further that night. "Surely," said he, "the perfection of
innkeepers would not turn away travelers who are willing to pay for
their entertainment and lodging."
"From what distant province can the honorable youth have journeyed, that
he knows not that the inns are full of the servants and officers of the
illustrious Ching-Ti, who has this day arrived, to fill with his form of
full measure the governor's sedan, and judgment seat?" said the
innkeeper.
"Truly the worthy innkeeper will pardon his younger brother for
observing that the name of the Mandarin of Hang-tcheou is Yang-ti, or
the eyeballs of his humble guest have become twisted, for Yang-ti is the
name upon this chop," replied Chow, producing a kind of passport which
had been given to him at the custom-house before entering the city.
"Where have been the ears of my honorable guest that he has not heard
that the noble Yang has completed the measure of his joys and sorrows in
this world?"
"Surely the noble governor cannot have passed so suddenly to the yellow
stream or the shadow kingdom of Yen-Vang," said Chow.
"There can be no doubt that it is a sad history, for greatly was the
good Yang loved, not only in this his last province, but in all those
over which he had ruled, never having retired from a government without
receiving the boots of honor," replied the innkeeper.
It may be as well to explain to you, that when the governor of a city
removes to another province, the people exhibit their approbation of his
wisdom and justice by paying him great honor. When he commences his
journey he finds, for a considerable distance along the road, tables
covered with silk placed at certain intervals, upon some of which are
laid burnt perfumes, candlesticks, waxlights, meats, pulse, and fruits;
and upon others, wine, and tea, ready for use. As soon as the popular
mandarin appears, the people fall upon their knees, bow their heads and
weep, offer him the things upon the tables, and present him with a pair
of new boots; they then pull off his old ones, and preserve them as
relics in a small cage, which they hang over the gates of the city
through which he passed.
"Will the worthy innkeeper relate the ill-doings that could have brought
this good magistrate to misfortune?" said Nicholas, guessing at the
innkeeper's meaning.
"Truly it was no less than a fondness for the religion of the Fan-Kwi."
"Surely that could be no crime under our good Emperor, who has
befriended the Christians, even to permitting the members of his family
to become followers of the Lord of Heaven," said Nicholas.
"It is true that the information may be incorrect, but such has fallen
into thy servant's ears; moreover it is said that the great Yang's
conduct has offended the bonzes at Pekin, who are all-powerful in the
palace of the Son of Heaven, whom they persuaded to send the
Christian-exterminating Lord Ching-Ti, with an order signed by the
vermilion pencil, to put Yang to death."
"Has the vile deed been performed?" said Nicholas hastily.
"Hush!" said the host in a low tone. "Surely such language will bring a
heavy punishment upon thy head."
"Has the noble mandarin suffered, O worthy man?" said Nicholas, whose
rising indignation outweighed his prudence.
"It has been wisely said, that it is of little use to repine at what
can't be recalled," replied the innkeeper, adding, "The soul of the
great Yang is now in search of a better habitation, but he left this
world with dignity, for the Son of Heaven, _may he continue the circle
of succession_, remembering his servant's good deeds, mercifully
permitted him to be his own executioner, and, moreover, gave him the
choice either of the silken cord, the gold leaf, or his own state
necklace."
"Truly if the great lords esteem these things as favors, thanks be to
Tien that thy servant is but a small weasel of a personage," said Chow,
making some very remarkable grimaces.
"When the noble Yang received the message, he called for the incense
table, burned perfume in honor of his royal master, chose the silken
cord, and having held it high above his head in token of his willingness
to obey the royal will, immediately strangled himself," said the
innkeeper, without noticing Chow's interruption.
That the boys did not shudder at this recital, may surprise you who are
not perhaps aware that this is a common method of showing the royal
gratitude for past services in the middle kingdom. Not only are these
three methods used as punishments, but as a means of suicide, which in
China, as in most unchristianized countries, is esteemed a meritorious
means of slipping through a difficulty. The gold leaf being taken in the
form of a pill, is washed down with water, which is supposed so to
expand the leaf and extend the stomach that life soon becomes extinct.
The death by the necklace is more uncommon. There is a bird of the crane
kind, on the crown of whose head is a scarlet tuft of down or velvet
skin, to which the Chinese believe the poison of the serpents which it
eats determines. This crest is frequently formed into a bead which is
concealed in the ornamental necklaces worn by the high officers of the
empire, for the express purpose of surmounting worldly difficulties, for
let this venom but touch the lip, and death instantaneously ensues.
There is a legend that the life of this bird extends to one thousand
years, that it is in its prime at sixty, when it can sing regularly and
beautifully every hour of the day, but that it cannot mount trees till
it reaches its thousandth year.
When the innkeeper had finished, the clanging of the watchman's bamboo
rattle in the streets reminded Nicholas of the lateness of the hour, and
he said, "But, even now, the worthy innkeeper has not informed his
younger brothers where they may find a lodging for the night.
"Thy servant, noble youth, must have been born in an unfortunate hour,
that he cannot offer the advantages of his inn, but the truth has been
spoken, none but the servants and officers of the great Ching-Ti can
rest here to-night."
"Surely taels of silver are not so plentiful in this city that all will
refuse," said Chow.
"Truly for less than an ounce of silver two travelers might find a
lodging in the house of the bonzes."
"The priests of Fo are rogues," said Nicholas, giving utterance to an
opinion that has been popular in China from all time.
"The noble youth possesses a tongue that will place him in the cangue,
or procure him a branded cheek by this hour to-morrow, if he rules it no
better," said the innkeeper; but before the boy could reply, the man's
wife ran into the room, crying and beating her breast, and implored of
her husband to follow her to the bedside of their dying daughter.
Shocked that they had been the means of keeping the man from so holy a
duty. Nicholas apologized, and was about leaving the house, when with an
hysterical laugh, the man said, "See, O honorable youths, this woman has
but little faith in the power of the holy bonzes, who have been offering
sacrifices to Fo, to save the life of this pearl of my existence."
"By what means, O foolish man, can these bonzes save thy child's life?
Are not the physicians of Hang-tcheou famous for their skill?"
"Truly they are less than mice; they could not save my child, and I have
dismissed them for a holy bonze, whose influence over the god who
protects the lives of the young, has made him promise that my pearl
shall not become dissolved in death."
"She is passing from us now, O my husband," said the unhappy wife.
"It cannot be, woman; the god is but chastising you with a terrible
fear, for your want of faith; for how is it possible he can refuse so
trifling a favor as the life of a young girl, when I have daily offered
sacrifices of animals, and money, and burned incense at his altar?"
Shocked at the man's superstitious belief in the power of Fo, and his
brother idols, Nicholas made one other effort to shake it; finding,
however, that it was useless, he paid the bill, purchased a lantern for
himself and another for Chow, and they went on their way to the Buddhist
monastery, the only house wherein he could find shelter for that night.